Ochsner House / OHK House
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At a glance
- Project by: Dasic Architects
- Location: Kohinata, Tokyo, Japan
Preview image
© Peter Cook
Project images
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Exterior - north-east view © Peter Cook View project image |
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Exterior - north view © Peter Cook View project image |
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Garden © Peter Cook View project image |
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Living room © Peter Cook View project image |
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Living room © Peter Cook View project image |
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Fire place © Peter Cook View project image |
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Kitchen © Peter Cook View project image |
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Terrace © Peter Cook View project image |
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Plans © Dasic Architects View project image |
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Sections © Dasic Architects View project image |
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Elevations © Dasic Architects View project image |
Architect's statement
Design Concept
The site is located on a hill in a residential area of the Tokyo Area. The topography allows for a commanding view of the city towards the south where one can take a glimpse of the Tokyo Tower. Moreover, a rather steep road enables the creation of a dynamic composition that can be visible as one approaches the location.
The clients, a Swiss husband, his Japanese wife and their three children, had been living in an apartment at the building right next to the current site, for the last 10 years. They own a large collection of art books and furniture, and the wife, a shodo artist, would also like to display her artwork.
Their main requirements were: (1) A distinct separation between private spaces and a more public living area (2) A place where they would be able to invite family and friends, as well as for business entertainment (3) A strong desire for natural lighting.
The scheme first focused on preserving the autonomy of the clients' lifestyle in relation with the surroundings. The house is positioned at the south side of the 208sqm site, leaving ample space for two spacious courtyards at the north side. In this way, a "safety zone" is created between the house and the "yet unknown" buildings planned to be build at the two neighboring sites. At the same time, it became possible to deal with the strict building regulations without compromising the project's pure geometric forms.
A set of cantilevered concrete steps leads to the entrance of the house through the first courtyard, where yamamomiji trees are planted. The house appears to be "sitting" on top of a concrete base, where the entrance to a parking space can be found. The design consists of a steel frame structure, clad in extruded cement panels (ECP) painted white. The ECP skin softly wrap the two volumes, creating a coherent entity on which a rhythmical play of big glass openings takes place.
Comprising these simple volumes, the project is divided into three zones. A private zone, containing the family's individual rooms and a utility area is placed on the ground level. An intermediate zone, with a Japanese - style room next to the entrance hall and an atelier on the second level, work as semi - private spaces that make the transition to the main living area a smooth one. The third zone includes the main living areas and it contains no real rooms. There are only functional zones – living, dining, kitchen - whose borders are defined ambiguously by glass opaque screens, ceiling - height variations and interplay of inside - outside space instead of the usual literal doors and partition walls.
The open living spaces offer a range of sunlight openings that create different impressions of space throughout the day. The 3.6m high ceilings strengthen the effect. A balcony, placed between the living and the dining spaces, acts as a 'sunlight pocket' channeling the light dee p in to the interior space. The roof terrace takes maximum advantage of the views that the site provides.
The geometry is simple and mirrors a distinction made between everyday living spaces and a more remote area functioning as a "pavilion inside a garden". In the "pavilion", containing studio for the creative work and tatami room for exhibiting the work, the artist can concentrate on her work while not feeling detached from the rest of the family.
All the glass openings are strategically positioned as to allow maximum light (in particular "cool" north light) while leaving impact of the direct sun heat outside. The height of the ceiling, double glazing (still a rarity in Tokyo), natural ventilation openings, light control, double insulated walls and roof , ensures that the house was to be built within all the principles of sustainability that could efficiently be incorporated.
Everywhere, but especially in the main living area of the second floor, the intention was to create a space where architectural de tails play background to the client's art, book and furniture collection. The interior's simple, clean lines and unadorned materials – interior white walls, white - oak floors, white steel columns, stainless steel plate tones - set the stage for the bright accents of the client's art collection. The expression of a house that works as a "vessel", for the residents, their actions, their objects, is the concept of this project.
The project has been included in the Discovery Channel Ultimate House series as one of four projects from Japan.
Finishes
- Structure: LB – Concrete; L1 + L2 - Steel
- Roof: Asphalt Waterproofing Sheet
- Exterior wall: Extruded Cement Panels (Flouo - carbon Polymer Paint Finish)
- Courtyard: Troweled Concrete; Pebbles
- Floors: Troweled Concrete; Oak Flooring; Tatami; Ceramic Tiles
- Walls: Acrylic Emulsion Paint; Ceramic Tiles
- Ceilings: Acrylic Emulsion Paint
Details/Credits
- Location: Kohinata, Tokyo, Japan
- Site area: 210 m2 / 63 tsubo
- Building area: 110 m2 / 33 tsubo
- Floor area: 260 m2 / 80 tsubo
- Design: November 2005 - May 2006
- Construction: October 2006 - May 2007
- George Dasic Architects team: George Dasic - principal; Tamaki Suzuki – project manager; Yuki Miyoshi Nikitaki - project architect; Yushi Kobayashi
- Structure: Kusama Kouzou Sekkei - T.Kusama
- Client: Charles + Yoko Ochsner
- Construction: Uejima Komuten – general contractor
- Photographs: Peter Cook
